In the spacious mansion building, two adults could be seen busy discussing something in one of its rooms.

"Eh? Split exploration?" Ryu was confused with the sudden announcement from their association leader.

"Yeah, we would make a 5-man party distributed equally to each city."

"But what about the risk? Isn't it too large?"

"What are you saying Ryu, as the Sub-Leader, you should've known why I made such decisions." Clearing his throat, the blond man took out the world map and laid it down on the big table that separated him from Ryu.

"Look, this plan surely would help us to unveil the Dungeon mystery faster." He, Laurent, then added, "In addition, we could halt further Dungeon outbreak in all cities if we did this."

"But there's no guarantee that there won't be any casualties. We didn't even complete the 60th-floor expedition yet," worried Ryu.

"Remember, the basis of our group creation was to save people's lives." Sensing that his Sub-Leader still doesn't content with it, Laurent continued, "Look, I respect your motto of an expedition for protection. But, we can't simply turn a blind eye toward the rest 13 cities. There's still a lot of life outside of the Fire City."

"A lot of survivor means a lot of Hunters, they should be able to protect themself, no?"

"You seem to forget the Hunter Association situation, with no reward, there's only a few that voluntarily go to the Dungeon to prevent the monsters from over-spawning."

"Didn't we already placed our people to observe things outside of the city? We then can get the related city permission to whack them clean as it had always been."

"That what concerns me, it took too long for the intel to inform us, there's also no guarantee that they will always safely reach us when they transverse through the sea."

Because of the outbreak in the Sea City, there's indeed a lot of sea monsters that roaming freely beneath the sea, it can be said that the sea was the most dangerous area right now. Knowing this fact well, Ryu found himself hard to retort to the statement.

"Okay, let's say we do execute this one, can you ensure that it won't cost our members life?"

"I can't. But, isn't that our duty to minimize it as high as possible?" Taking out a miniature sculpture of their members, Laurent concluded, "My decision has been made, now help me sorts out the party so it would be balanced perfectly."

"Seriously, you and your idealism really bring a headache," sighed Ryu in resignation. Hearing this, Laurent simply chuckled, "Right back at you."

***

"Now what's left is Dark City, Sea City, and Forest City," Laurent said while fidgeting with one of the member's sculpture. "Do you want me to place you on the Forest City?"

"Sure, if you want me to die."

"Haha, do you still have that stupid nightmare?" Toward the inquiry, Ryu nodded his head, "Sometimes." Because he's the type that remembers everything, it's almost impossible for him to make an unwanted memory to disappear from his mind.

"How about your wife?" Feeling concerned, Ryu shakes his head to the idea. "No, don't send Aya into there, I'm afraid that it would trigger those visions again."

"I see..." Laurent nodded his head in agreement. Even for Laurent, who lives in Fire city, which is the most triumphant city that could handle the outbreak. It's still hard for him to forget that 20% of their population died in a mere single day.

"Thinking about it, it's really mysterious huh, the first outbreak..." Placing a piece of cigarette on his lips, Laurent then lits it up using a small fire that ignited from his finger. Blowing out a cloud of smoke from his mouth, he then resumed, "There's no sign of over-spawning, what's more, it's all happened at the same time."

"Maybe the higher beings want to get their share of amusement by triggering those events."

"Did you really believe in such things?" Laurent asked with furrowed brows. In response to the confusion, Ryu shrugged off his shoulder. "I don't know, that's why we need to reach the top floor, maybe there's some secret that could be unveiled on there."

"You're still stubborn about that idea, huh," said Laurent as he blows out another smoke from his mouth, and also nose.

"Of course, but for now, I already set this as our priority, let's continue the last three distribution, we're getting railed off for some time already."

"Hmm, since you and Ayano couldn't take the Forest City, that leaves me no choices, right?" conversed Laurent while placing his piece to the map where there's a lot of tree portrait in it.

"Sure, when you at it, you should've started your own expedition too. It's simply a waste of your power to stays on the lower floor."

"Oh, I'm honored to hear a compliment from the strongest Blade Master." Being a Sage, Laurent firepower can't be seen with only one eye. He's capable of using all types of elements, mostly an advanced one, to eradicate the monsters in a flash.

"Well, I guess me and Aya will take the Sea Dungeon." Ryu boldly placed both of his and Ayano pieces on the only city that's being surrounded by water. Looking into this, Laurent unconsciously chugged down the smoke he's been inhaling, making him cough very loudly.

"How come you could be so biased like that!?" Laurent remarked while repeatedly pats his chest.

Ryu retorted, "I'm not biased at all! A Blade Master was best combined with an Oracle!"

"Are you fucking kidding me!? A two 3rd-Tiered individual on a single City?" Began to regain his composure back, Laurent massaged his forehead with its hand. "Do you want to sacrifice the Dark City for your own sake?"

"Aren't 5 high-level 2nd tier is enough to handle it?" persuaded Ryu.

"Can't do, from my observations, both Sea and Dark city was one of the most dangerous places." Hearing the explanation, Ryu raised his voice as he banged the table. "Then, that's more the reason I can't leave Aya alone!"

"It seems you failed to contain your true intention deep inside your thoughts in there."

In the middle of these debates, suddenly, a knock can be heard coming from the closed wooden door. Because of this, Laurent raised his palm, "Wait, we hold this up a bit."

"Okay." Feeling compliant, Ryu brings his body to lay on the couch that's located on the corner of the room.

"You can enter now." Received the approval, the door soon opened, and instantly, a woman wearing an office suit strides her way to Laurent, appears to bring some documents with her. "WE FINALLY GOT THE RESULT!"